Controller



Aug 1.3, 1946. F, STONER 2,405,769

CONTROLLER Filed May 27, 1944 Patented Aug. 13, 1946 CONTROLLER FrankStoner, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to The Baker-Raulang Company,Cleveland, Ollio, a

corporation of Ohio Application May 27, 1944, Serial No. 537,653

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a controller and the circuit controlledthereby for a vehicle, more particularly circuit controlling meansapplicable to a vehicle, such as a tractor or one employed for handlingloads where operating conditions make it necessary to (a) change thespeed of the vehicle during vehicle travel and (b) make quick reversalof truck travel. Vehicles of this type are commonly referred to asindustrial tractors and/or trucks. The trucks are employed for loadingand unloading operations, stacking and de-stacking operations andtransfer of parts and products from one location to another location. Inmost instances, of which I have knowledge, for

economical reasons, the operative for the tractor or truck is encouragedto carry out these operations and effect truck travel from one locationto another as rapidly as possible. In tractor or truck travel the aislesor lanes may be along a circuitous route, due to turns, positioning ofmachines and piled-up materials, so that it becomes customary to speedup the tractor or truck in straight-away sections of the route andquickly slow down at turns. In load pick-up and discharge operations thetruck is often driven forwardly and rearwardly with short quick impulsesof movement. Under these various operating conditions the operativeattempts to slow up or stop the traction motor of the tractor or truckby reversing the current thereto, instead of applying the vehicle brake,so that damage to the motor and the electrical connections, as well asundue strain on parts of the truck, resulted.

One object of the invention is to provide in a motor driven vehicle animproved electric circuit for the motor and a controller thereforwherein provision is made to break the motor circuit independently ofthe controller upon return movement; of the latter from any operatedposition thereof, thereby making it necessary to apply the vehicle brakein reducing the truck speed and/or stopping the truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved controllingmeans for operating an electric motor, wherein operation of the motor athigh' speed is dependent upon the initial operation of the controller toand dwell thereof at a predetermined position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric motorcircuit having a contactor, an improved controlling means for thecontactor consisting of a closing circuit and a holding circuitconnected to the motor circuit at opposite sides of the contactor andarranged to be alter- `Vmately closed by and in co-ordinated relation tothe movement of the controller from neutral position to first speedposition and then to a higher speed position thereof, respectively, theclosing of the holding circuit by movement of the controller to thehigher speed position being dependent on a dwell thereof at the firstspeed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved controllingmeans for the circuit of an electric motor arranged to prevent reversalof current to the motor when the latter is running in either directiononly by rst moving the controller to neutral position for operating themotor in the opposite direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric motorcircuit having a contactor, an improved controlling means for thecontactor consisting of a closing circuit and a holding circuitconnected to the motor circuit at opposite sides of the contactor and acam operated by the shaft of the controller and arranged t0substantially simultaneously close the closing circuit and open theholding circuit, and vice Versa, whereby the operation of the contactoris facilitated.

Another object 0f the invention is to provide an improved controllingmeans for the circuit of a variable speed electric motor wherein (a) aminimum amount of metal forming the contact portions or conductors ofthe controller is required to complete the circuit to the motor for eachspeed thereof and (b) the circuit for controlling the motor circuit issimplified to insure quick action either in initial closing of the motorcircuit or subsequent breaking thereof.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagramshowing a controller, an electric motor, a circuit for the motor and acontrol means incorporated therewith embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of th'e controller.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of parts shown in Fig. 2.

In the drawing, II indicates an electric motor. I2 indicates anelectrical power supply, preferably consisting of a suitable storagebattery having leads I3, I4, which through a suitable receptacle andplug therefor are connected by leads I5, I6, respectively, to bus barson a terminal block Il. Leads I8, I 9, connect the bus bars with anyother motor (not shown) with which the vehicle may be equipped. Leads2li, ZI, connect the bus bars with a horn 22, which is controlled by apush button 22a.

23 indicates as an entirety a controller fixed to a sha t E4 forrotation in one direction to close the motor circuit, to thereby propelthe vehicle forwardly and in the opposite direction to reverse thecircuit connection with the motor, whereby the vehicle is propelledrearwardly, the controller and circuits being arranged to provide threespeeds in each direction, but my invention is applicable where a lesseror greater number of speeds may be provided. The shaft 24 may beoperated through suitable gearing actuated'fby a lever or wheel (thegearing and lever or wheel not shown). The controller is provided with(a) conductors 23a, 23h, operable to close `the' motor circuit when themotor is driven to propel the vehicle forwardly and (b) conductors 23e,23d, 2te, operable to close the motor circuit when the motor is drivento propelthe vehicle rearwardly, these conductors rbeing arranged toengage contacts I,2, 3, ii, 'I, in the manner later set forth.

rPhe `motor circuit consists of the following: lead 25 connecting onebus bar thro-ugh the movable and stationary contacts 25, 25a,respectively, onthe supportvfor the contacter indicated as an entiretyat 2l, to the armature (indicated atZS) o1" themotor Il, the contact 26being normally disengaged from the contact Eta; leads 29, 30, frornthemotor armatureto contacts 2, 5, respectively (the latter lead includingan adjustable resistor R-B) leads 3I,?2, connecting lield coils 33 ofthe motor I'Ivwith contacts I, 3, respectively, -itbeingnoted that'whencontacts 4I Vand 3 are connected through'controller `conductors 23a,23h, the motor i l is driveneto propel the vehicle forwardly and -whencontacts I and 3 are connected through'controller conductors-23C, 23e,and a lead 3-4'therebetween, the motor I I is driven to propel thevehicle rearwardly; lead 35 Vconnecting the other-bus bar to contact 'Iand having resistors R-I and R2 connected in series therein; Vand leadSB `connecting contact 5 tothe remote end vto close thecircuit throughthe lead 25.

3l indicates a cam (formed of suitable in sulation material) yiixed tothe controller shaft 24 for controlling a circuit indicated as anentirety at The `cam 3l is provided with a mid-section Sla, with whichthe outer end of -a resilient arm l3l engages whenthe controller -is inoli or neutral position, recesses S'lb, 31h', at either side of themid-section Sla and co-ordinated with the rst speed position of thecontrollerZS when -the latter is rotated in either direction and asection Slo on which the arm 3l rides during movement of the controllerin either direction from the first speed position to and from the secondand/ or third speed positions back to the rst speed position. The innerend of the arm 3l is rigidly supported between pads `34 formed ofinsulating material and supported on a bracket 44 i iixed to theadjacent supporting elementl 4I for the controller 23. As shown in Fig.2, the intermediate portion of the arm 3l" is cut away to accommodate aresilient arm 42 carrying a contact 42d arranged to engage contactsdia', 42a" (see Figs. 3 and Ll) as later set forth. A flipper43`forrnedof resilient material connects the arms 3l' and 42 togetherand normally tends to hold them in either of two positions; that is, (a)when the arm 3l rides fro-n1 the mid-section 31a of carn 3l' or section37C into either recess Sib, 31h',

vthe iiipper 43 is contracted and effects movement of the arm 42 to theFig. 3 position to cause engagement of the Contact 42a with the contactY42d and (h) when the arm 3l rides outl of either recess onto eithersection 37d, Ele, the

.flipper ,43 is contracted and forces the outer end portionsof the arms3l', 42, apart, whereby the contact 42a engages a contact 42a (see Figs.2 and 4). The contacts 42a', 42a, are carried on the outer ends ofresilient arms 42o, 42h', respectively, which arms and arm 42 are formedof suitable conducting material, for reasons later apparent. rThe innerends of the arms 42, 42h andlil are insulated from each other andrigidly/supported at their inner ends between the insulating pads 4%. Aswill noted in Figs. 3 and 4, the COntaCtsMdQfLlZd", are so spaced thatslight movement of the arm 42 effects disengagement of the contact 42a`from either thereof and engagernent with the other-contact and that thespring tension of the flipper y43 is arranged to operate the arm vl2 ineither direction-with a snap action, this arrangement and operationbeing advantageous to prevent de-energization of the coil alla andbreaking of the controlling circuit during movement of the contact 4tafrom its engagement with contact 42a into engagement with contact 42a"due to operation ofthe controller in either direction from first speed`position-to second speed position.

The controlling circuit 38 consists of a closing circuit 38a and aholding circuit 38'. The closing circuit istraced as follows: lead 44connecting contact 4 through a manually operated switch '45;t0 one endof the coil 27a; lead 46 connecting the opposite end of the coil Z'l'a'to the arm 42; contacts 42a, 42a; arm 4%;1ead 4l' connecting 4arm 42hwith that Sectio-n of the lead 25 which is connected to v,the movableContact 26; leads ,6,111 to battery I2; leads I3, I5, andlead to.contact'.

The `holding circuit 'jis .traced `as `follows: lead44 .connectingcontact 4 through theyswitch 4 5'to one end of the coil'la; lead 46connecting the opposite endof the coi112la ,to the arm 42; contactsla,42a; .arm 42b;'lead 48 connecting arm 142th' Ywith thatsection of thelead 25 which is connectedto thestationary contact Zta; contacts`2Ela,126, and Yleady ,to bus-bar; leads I5, I4 to battery i2; leadsi,,I5, ,and lead 35 to contact '1.

The switch Yis controlled .byaspring operated pedalpcsitioned vso as to-be cperated'by the operative when ystanding in vehicle drivingposition. As rthis switch is connected .in the controlling circuit,preferably the lead vwhich is connected to one end of the coil Ella,itfollows that upon release of'this foot operated pedaLthe ccn-,trolling .circuit `is broken, so that Aoperation of the controller`in.either*direction will be ineffective.

Operation: With the brake released'and pedal switch 45closed, operationof the controller and cam '3l (clockwise as shown in -Fig. l) willeffeet closing of the circuits 38a, 38', opening of the circuit 38a andengagement of the control-` ler conductors 23a, 23h, with the contacts lto 1, inclusive, in the following manner: In this movement of thecontroller 23, certain of the contacts l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 1 will beconnected by the controller conductors 23a, 23h, in the first, secondand third speed positions thereof indicated at a, b, c, respectively. Inthe reverse movement of the controller 23, certain of the contacts Willbe connected by the conductors 23C, 23d, 23e, in the first, second andthird speed positions thereof indicated at a', b', c', respectively. Inthe rst speed position, the arm 31 will ride into recess 31b, therebyeffecting engagement of con-- tact 42a with contact 42a to close theclosing` circuit 38a through leads 44, 41, and coil 21a. If thecontroller is held or dwells in this position, long enough for the ux tobuild up in the coil 21a, the switch contact 26 will be moved intoengagement with contact 26a to close the motor circuit, whereupon thecontroller may be moved to second and third speed positions; however, ifthe controller is moved to the second speed position4 without making thedwell above referred to, the motor circuit will remain open, since thecoil 21a will not be energized and effect closing of the contacterswitch 26-26a. If the dwell at the first speed position is made,operation of the controller to second speed position will, throughengagement of conductor 23h with contact 6, connect lead 36 in the motorcircuit to reduce the current through the eld coils of the motor. Inthis operation of the controller, the arm 31 will ride out of the recess31h onto cam section 31e, thereby moving arm 42 to effect engagement ofcontact 42a thereon with contact 42a" to close the holding circuit 38'of the controlling circuit:l 38. As will be observed, the closing of thehold-1 ing circuit maintains the coil 21a energized, so that the motorcircuit through contactor switch 2li-26a remains closed. If thecontroller 23 is moved to the third speed position, controller conductor23h engages contact 5 to connect in the adjustable resistor R-3. As willbe observed, in the movement of the controller 23 to third speedposition and back to second speed position, the arm 31 rides on the camsection 31o so that the holding circuit 38 remains closed; but (a) ifthe controller 23 is moved back to the rst speed pos sition the arm 31rides into the recess 31h and effects engagement of contact 42a withcontact 42a to break the holding circuit 38 and close the closingcircuit 38a, whereas movement of the controller 23 to neutral positionopens the closlng circuit through coil 21a to de-energize the latter andbreak the motor circuit through the contacts 26, 26a.

In the operation of the controller 23 to propel the vehicle rearwardly,it and cam 31 are rotated counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1) to therst speed position a. In such movement, conductors 23e, 23e, engagecontacts 1, 3, respectively, and arm 31' rides into the recess 31h toclose.-

the closing circuit 38a, which is then opened and the holding circuit38' closed if the controller is operated to second speed position b inthe manner already described in operating the controller and camclockwise, provided a dwell at the rst speed position a takes place.

The coil 21a of the electro-magnet is balanced with respect to the powersupply and resistance value of the resistors R-|, R-Z and R-3 and themotor, so that if the latter is running in one direction and the currentsupply thereto is reversed, the voltage drop will allow the movablecontact 26 to disengage the contact 26a and thus open the motor circuit.Due to the fact that upon opening of the motor circuit the voltageimmediately builds up in the battery, the movable contact will engagethe contact 26a, following which engagement, due to drop in the voltage,the contact 26 will immediately disengage the contact 26a. Accordingly,this engagement and disengagement of the contacts will continue unlessor until the operative applies the vehicle brake (thereby opening thecontrolling circuit through the switch 45) or returns the controller toneutral position.

By reason of the fact that in propelling the vehicle in either directionthe controller must be held in its rst speed position until the movablecontact 26 is actuated it becomes impossible to drive the motor in theevent the controller is operated to the second and/or third speedposition without the dwell at the rst speed position; and since, withthe motor running in one direction, operation of the controller toreverse the current to the motor will be ineffective to supply currentthereto, the operative is compelled to apply the vehicle brake to stopthe motor whether the vehicle is to be brought to a stop or itsdirection of movement is to be reversed. The coil 21ov is removable sothat it may be changed where the power supply is increased 0r decreasedto insure a balanced relation between it and the voltage in the motorcircuit.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the operation ofthe contacter 21 is controlled by the circuit 38, which is initiallyclosed and maintained closed or opened by the cam 31, and not throughany conductor or contact portion on the controller drum, thereby enabling me to provide a controller for the motor circuit having a minimumquantity of conductor material (for example, copper) necessary to com--plete the motor circuit for the different speed positions in eitherdriving direction. Accordingly, as compared to the form of controllerconstruction shown in my Letters Patent No. 2,140,564, dated December20, 1938, a substantial saving in the quantity of metal on thecontroller results and permits a reduction in the number of contactcarrying arms 23 (see Fig, 2) and total length of the controller tofacilitate the mounting of other operating equipment on the vehicleframe.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit andscope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purelyillustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In controlling means for a motor circuit, the combination with amotor, a controller and a source of current supply, of a circuit for themotor connected to lsaid source of supply, and controlling means forsaid motor circuit comprising a closing circuit, a holding circuit and acontactor consisting of normally disengaged contacts in one lead of saidmotor circuit arranged to close and open it and an electro-magnet foroperating one of said contacts in one direction to engage the othercontact, the coil of said electro-magnet being in series with saidclosing and holding circuits and said closing circuit being connected tosaid lead at one side of said contactor and said holding circuit beingconnectedto said lead at the other side of saidy contactor, aV devicesynchronized with the movement of said controller and a switch.

operated by said device to close said closing circuit and open saidholding circuit `when-.the controller is moved to one operating positionand open said closing circuit and close said holding circuit when saidcontroller is moved to another operating position.

2. In controlling means for a motor circuit, the combination with amotor, a contro-ller and a source of current supply, of ay circuit forthe motor connected to said source of supply, and control.'h ling meansfor said motor circuit comprising a closing circuit, a holding circuitand a contactor consisting of stationary and movable contacts in onelead of said motor circuit arranged to close and open it and anelectro-magnet the coil of which is in series with said closing andholding circuits, said closing circuit being connected to said movablecontact and arranged to be closed when said controller is moved to itsrst speed position and said holding circuit being connected to saidstationary Contact and arranged to be closed when said controller ismoved to a higher speed position, a switch arranged to close saidclosing circuit and open said holding circuit when the controller ismoved to its first speed position and open said closing circuit andclose said holding circuit when said controller is` moved to a higherspeed position and a cam xed to the shaft for said controller forcontrolling the operation of said switch during movement of saidcontroller.

3'. In controlling means. for a motor circuit, the combination with` amotor, a controller and a source of current supply, of a circuit for themotor connected to said source of supply, and controlling means for saidmotor circuit comprising av closing circuit, a holding circuit and acontactor consisting of stationary and movable contacts in one lead ofsaid motor circuit in normally dis-y engaged relation andarranged toclose and openl itand an electro-magnet for` operating said movablecontact in one direction` said'closing andv holding circuits consistingof a lead in whichL the coil oi said magnet is series connected, a leadfor said closing circuit connected to said movable contact and a lead'for said holding circuit connected to said stationary contact, a switchnor# mally connected to said lead for said holding circuit an'd arrangedto be connected to the lead forsaid closing circuit and' a' device iixedto the shaft for said controller operable to disengage said switch' fromthe lead for said holding circuit and move it into engagement with theleadl for said closing circuit upon movement of the controller to itsrst speed position and to disengage said switch from the lead for saidclosing circuit and move it into engagement with the lead for saidholding circuit upon movement of said c-ontroller to a higher speedposition, the operation of Said electro-magnet to operate saidmovablecontact being dependent on the dwell of the controller at the rstspeed position.

FRAlllEv STONER.

